Community and social service
Social and human service assistants
Assist other social and human service providers in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families. May assist clients in identifying and obtaining available benefits and social and community services. May assist social workers with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, human relationships, rehabilitation, or dependent care.
Median pay
$45,930
Growth to 2035
+7%
faster than average
Openings a year
48,900
Time to qualify*
1 month
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Social and human service assistants
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to social and human service assistants
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Exposure to disease
Social and human service assistants: 16% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Assess clients' cognitive abilities and physical and emotional needs to determine appropriate interventions.
- Develop and implement behavioral management and care plans for clients.
- Keep records or prepare reports for owner or management concerning visits with clients.
- Visit individuals in homes or attend group meetings to provide information on agency services, requirements, or procedures.
- Submit reports and review reports or problems with superior.
- Interview individuals or family members to compile information on social, educational, criminal, institutional, or drug history.
- Provide information or refer individuals to public or private agencies or community services for assistance.
- Advise clients regarding food stamps, child care, food, money management, sanitation, or housekeeping.
Also called: Addictions Counselor Assistant · Advocate · Clinical Assistant · Residential Care Assistant · Social Services Aide · Social Services Assistant · Social Work Assistant · Social Work Associate
Outlook and AI
Social and human service assistants held 463,400 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 497,600 by 2035 (+7%, faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Social and human service assistants vs. Social worker
- Social and human service assistants vs. Mental health and substance abuse social workers
- Social and human service assistants vs. Healthcare social worker
- Social and human service assistants vs. Marriage and family therapists
- Social and human service assistants vs. Rehabilitation counselor
- Social and human service assistants vs. Community health worker
- Social and human service assistants vs. Clinical psychologist
- Social and human service assistants vs. Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors
- Social and human service assistants vs. Health education specialist